The Dark Side of Magic Mushrooms: Why Psilocybin May Harm New Mothers
What question is this article answering?
Can psilocybin, a substance with staggering promise to treat depression, ironically worsen the symptoms of postpartum depression?
Synopsis
As the buzz on word about psilocybin as a revolutionary treatment for depression intensifies, fresh preclinical data ring a warning bell for expectant mothers. A study in mice suggests that psilocybin could actually exacerbate symptoms of postpartum depression, another layer of complexity in the discussion about psychedelic therapy for maternal mental health [1]. This article examines this unexpected finding within the context of the larger, more promising research landscape and what it could mean for postpartum depression treatment in the future.
A Double-Edged Mushroom? The Surprising Plot Twist in Psilocybin for Postpartum Depression
The months and weeks after giving birth can be a time of pure bliss, but for millions of new mothers, it is a time of utter emotional crisis. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a disabling and debilitating disease that affects one in every seven women, putting a cloud over what is supposed to be a fairy tale period. For too long, treatments for PPD have been scarce and occasionally sluggish to act. No wonder that researchers, as well as patients, have been seeking new, quicker-acting therapies, and in recent years, psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, have captured everyone's imagination.
The chemical found in "magic mushrooms," psilocybin has made headlines with its remarkable ability to induce rapid and sustained antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression patients. The promise of a single, stand-alone experience that could reboot the brain and heal depressive disorders has been a beacon in the darkness for so many. It only stood to reason to inquire if this same magic could be applied to the unique needs of postpartum depression. But a new preclinical study has thrown a surprise and potentially unsettling monkey wrench into the equation.
In a shocking Nature Communications study, researchers found that psilocybin actually seemed to worsen postpartum depression in mice [2]. Researchers induced PPD-like behavior in female mice with a social stress model. When the mice were given psilocybin, the mice exhibited increased maternal withdrawal and anxiety-like behavior [2]. This is the opposite of what was expected, and it is a timely reminder of questions about the efficacy and safety of psilocybin in new mothers. It is a blunt reminder that effective for one type of depression may not be effective for another, and that the postpartum is a sensitive and unique time.
So why might psilocybin have this apparently contradictory effect? The researchers point out that maybe it has something to do with the complex dance of hormones and brain chemistry during the postpartum time. The female brain undergoes colossal changes after giving birth, and it is possible that psilocybin in some way interacts with these changes in a negative way. The research also found that the negative impact of psilocybin lasted for a long duration, both in the mothers and offspring [2]. This is a sobering find that addresses head-on the need to be cautious when considering the use of any psychoactive drug in this vulnerable period.
It is important to point out that this was a mice study, and the findings are not necessarily transferable to humans. However, it is a vital piece of missing information that cannot be ignored. As noted in a story by Neuroscience News, the study shows that magic mushrooms are not a cure for postpartum depression, contrary to many people's expectations [1]. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous scientific testing and dangers of making conclusions from anecdotal evidence or data from other populations.
Although many people have had positive results from psilocybin, the research is a clear indication that there is still so much to be discovered about how these medications function and who they are most suitable for. A previous review in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2022 has already weighed the place of psychedelics in the treatment of postpartum depression, citing the potential but also caution in addition [5]. These results continue to widen this discussion.
Despite this caution, research on psilocybin for PPD is still in progress. There are ongoing human clinical trials that are examining the potential for psilocybin-assisted treatment in postpartum women. Cleveland Clinic researchers, for example, are examining a novel, single-dose psychedelic medicine for treatment of postpartum depression [3]. These tests are being conducted with utmost care and safety consideration, and they will provide us with a much clearer picture of the risks and benefits.
Perhaps with the right dose, setting, and therapeutic support, psilocybin can still be a valuable tool for some women with PPD. But for now, the lesson from the preclinical data is clear: careful caution. The MotherToBaby fact sheet on psilocybin mushrooms reminds us to understand the risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding [4].
The path to finding effective treatments for postpartum depression is long and difficult. Although the promise of psychedelics is exhilarating, we can't let our enthusiasm get ahead of the science. Last year's findings in mice are a valuable, if humbling, reminder that the path to health isn't an equation. As we press forward in our investigation of the use of psilocybin, we need to do so with a profound respect for the complexity of the human brain and the specific demands of new mothers.
References
1. Neuroscience News. (2025). Psilocybin May Worsen Symptoms of Postpartum Depression. https://neurosciencenews.com/psilocybin-postpartum-depression-29756/
2. Hatzipantelis, C., et al. (2025). Psilocybin during the postpartum period induces long-lasting adverse effects in both mothers and offspring. Nature Communications, 16(1), 1-14. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-64371-5
3. Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Novel, Fast-Acting Psychedelic May Provide New Avenue for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression. https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/novel-fast-acting-psychedelic-may-provide-new-avenue-for-the-treatment-of-postpartum-depression
4. MotherToBaby. (2025). Psilocybin mushrooms ("Magic Mushrooms"). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582810/
5. Schutt, W. A., & Exline, J. J. (2022). Postpartum depression: A role for psychedelics?. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 36(6), 657-661. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/02698811221093793
Disclaimer: Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy has not been approved by any regulatory agencies in the United States, and the safety and efficacy are still not formally established at the time of this writing.